mandela, and how that inspiration needs to carry on well beyond today. here's the president. >> nelson mandela lived for that ideal and made it real. he achieved more than could be expected of any man. today he has gone home. we have lost one of the most influential, courageous, and profoundly good human beings that any of us will ever share time with on this earth. he no longer belongs to us. he belongs to the ages. >> that last line there from president obama, he belongs to the ages, reminiscent of another famous quote, which was after president lincoln was declared dead, standing coming forward who reportedly said, "now he belongs to the ages." just one more sign of the significance of the passing of nelson mandela. nowhere perhaps more felt, though, then in his native south africa. president jacob zuma was the one to break the news this afternoon. let's listen in. freedom andled for healing. he had the respect of the world. his humility, his compassion, and his humanity gained him their love. reverencealso word that will unlikely be ever paralleled. come because quote i think this

farewell to nelson mandela. the white house announcing that president obama and michelle obama will travel there next week to attend the memorial. >> on sunday, they will mark a national day of prayer and reflection. his memorial service will be held tuesday in johannesburg. tonight, we are hearing from the former u.s. ambassador south africa. south special memories of africa. >> kimberly suiters is live at the embassy with more. >> all day, people have been braving the elements to the tributes here to the statue of nelson mandela at the embassy. for them, the losses doubly painful. great leaders. >> the only u.s. ambassador to present his credentials to nelson mandela. >> to hear him say in his own sod of humor that it seemed slow now. he was in for 27 years and they grew up knowing who he was without ever having seen him and until this day in 1990. >> that was the first day that most south africans knew what he looked like. >> they are hearing from friends and family still in south africa that everyone is in mourning for the man who saved their country from chaos. it was the rugby

will have another look at the were cast and timeline in a few moments. the family of nelson mandela has released their first eight -- the firste statement in the death. his spirit lives on. you can see that today in many places. africa, a day every flesh of his plan to honor his life. on memorial will be held tuesday. as the world remembers nelson mandela, we will have extensive coverage. leon harris and scott thuman are traveling to johannesburg tonight. they will have live report starting on monday. solemn ceremonies took place in hawaii in arlington national cemetery to celebrate the attack pearl harbor. more than 2300 u.s. service members or killed on this surprise attack that catapulted the u.s. into world war ii. the holidays are a big driver for some veterans. somee a bit brighter for veterans. >> quickly they scattered and animate -- ornaments are to going up. >> it is lucky for us to have some excitement as the holiday season comes. the decorations are staying up until february. that is when her husband gets back from afghanistan. seven onis one of saturday's agenda. they held

the memory of nelson mandela who died at the age of 95 years old. leon harris was inside the stadium during the ceremony. he is there with the story. aboutust had to tell you the incredible electricity that was in the stadium today at the memorial service. tens of thousands of people jumping and dancing, singing routines that seem to be perfectly choreographed. they did this for hours before the dignitaries even came out to take the stage. it was special. tens of thousands of people singing and dancing in unison. >> it is a day to celebrate mandela. >> you want the day to never end? women symbolize why he matters so much. they come from here. a place that represents a promise unfulfilled. those who succeeded with the ending of apartheid, and those who would appear to have been left behind. they will tell you otherwise. ?re you happy here >> i am very happy. >> [inaudible] theresident obama reminded crowd that the nation remains. >> we see a man who earned his place in history through and persistence and faith. possible nothat is just in the pages of history books, but in our own live